An unusual program is making an unusual offer for west coast adults ages 18 to 35. Sea School Northwest, a program designed to train adults for entry-level maritime jobs in eight weeks at sea, has a large number of scholarships to grant in 2018 and is asking people to apply for a free training.

"We are looking for young adults who are ready to jump in, and start something totally new in their life," says program Assistant Director, Caitlin Stanton. "Joining Sea School Northwest means you will leave home, join the crew of a ship, and become a mariner. If you complete the program, you'll get a foot in the door to an amazing, high-wage, growing job market. We have scholarships for people who are ready to make the leap."

Scholarships cover everything from program tuition, to travel to and from the boat, and even provide a kit with work clothes and all needed tools.

Diverse applicants are encouraged to apply. While the minimum criteria for a full scholarships is being 18 to 35 and making less than double the federal poverty level wage, the Sea School Northwest website states, "We believe that equity and diversity are essential to a thriving, modern maritime workforce. In order to fulfill our mission to change the face of the maritime industry, we must take into account our society's inequalities, including those based on race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and geography.

Through the direct support of women, people of color, LGBTQ people, registered tribal members and the coastal residents of the waters that we impact, we will continue to break barriers and create opportunities that challenge the status quo."

For those who want to learn more, the program has a series of vessel open houses, and panel discussions between working mariners listed on it's website events page. Especially sought are people from the many communities served by tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, which includes port communities in Washington, Oregon, and California.

More information and application paperwork can be found at http://www.seaschoolnw.org.